Upholstering apparatus.



Patented Dec. l9, I899.

E. F. BRAISHER.

UPHOLSTERING APPARATUS.

(Application filed July 11, 1899) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

m T N E V N WITNESSES I UNITE STATES PATENT Darren.

EDWARD F. BRAISHER, OF OSHKOSH, l VISCONSIN.

UPHOLSTERING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 639,512, dated December19, 1899.

Application filed July 11,1899. Serial No. 723,477. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD F. BRAISHER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Oshkosh, in the county of Winnebago and State of \Visconsin,have invented new and useful Improvementsin Apparatus for MakingCushion-Backs for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an apparatus for making plaited upholstery, andis especially applicable for the making of curved cushionbacks forvehicle-seats. In phaetons and highclass vehicles a curved backconforming to the shape of the person riding is desirable, as it affordsadditional comfort and rest.

My invention consists of certain novel constructions, combinations, andarrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described andclaimed.

The mold is constructed in two overlapping sections, so that the portionaround the back orbottom of the cushion may be removed to expose thecushion-back for finishing purposes.

My invention is adapted to that class of backs or cushions where thebuttons are tied through the cushion to wires extending across the backof the cushion. v

In the use of myinvention the mold is usually placed horizontally upon astandard or support where both the top and bottom are easily accessible.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view, and Fig. 2 a sideView, of my invention with completed cushion. Fig. 3

shows an end view with the two sections separated and a portion cutaway. Fig. 4 is a bottom view. Fig. 5 is a plan view of thecushion-back. Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the main body portion ofthe mold. Fig. 7is a perspective View of the removable section, and Fig.8 is a transverse sectional view through the two sections when they areplaced together. I

Similar letters refer to similar parts in can view.

A represents the main body of the mold or conformer, which supports thebottom D, and B represents the removable section, which overlaps themain portion A with a diagonal lap 19, the corner-posts a or actintervening to support the bottom D. The bottom I) is curved or bentupwardly at d to any desired form or extent, and the mold A may be ofany size, shape, or depth desired.

E represents the plaited top, F the stuffing material, and e e e, &c.,the buttons.

e e e, &c., are the buttons threads, which are drawn down through thetop E, the stuffing F, and through perforations i t' 2', &c., in thecushion-back Iand tied around fine backwires 7t h h. r

a The bottom D of the mold A is perforated atjjj, dad, and theperforations in the cushion-back I correspond with the perforations inthe bottom D. Slots H H H, &c., are provided either lengthwise or acrossthe bottom, extending through the perforationsjjj, &c.

In forming the cushion the back-wires h h h are arranged in the slots HH H and held temporarily in position by the removable pins H H 11,extending laterally through openingsin the bottom D and between thewires and the cushion-back. The operator then places the cushionback Iupon the bottom D and, if necessary, scores the same at cl, so that itwill bend in conformity with the bottom D. The perforations iii 1;, &c.,are then directly above the perforations j j j, &c. The operator thenslides the two sections A and B together and arranges the stuffingmaterial F within the mold. The covering E is first laid out upon atable and perforations made where buttons are desired. The operator thenarranges the covering over the stuffing F, threads each button 11 intoan upholsterers needle, and passes the needle through the perforation inthe covering, down through the stuffing, and through the perforation inthe cushiomback I and the corresponding perforation in the bottom D.

Then he ties the two ends of the thread m temporarily around the Wire hand draws down the button slightly. After each button has been partiallydrawn down the operator, with a tuft-ing-stick, arranges the plaits and.stuffing in each tuft properly and then draws the button-threadscompletely down and ties them all. permanently around the Wires h h h.Then the operator slides the sectional part B down off from the mainform A and exposes the edges of the covering E,the stuffing F,and theedges of the cushion-back I. The operator then arranges the stuffingproperly around the edges and attaches, by stitching or otherwise,

the covering to the back. The incline I) permits the ready use of acurved upholsterers needle. The operator, sewing from the bottom upward,is afforded sufficient space to insert and turn the needle to form thestitch in sewing the bottom to the covering. If desired, the bottom needbe only basted to the covering and afterward removed to a sewing-machineand properly stitched. After the cushion-back has been basted orfastened to the covering around the edges the pins H H, H can be pulledout and the entire cushion removed upwardly from the mold. In formingthe cushion the operator can turn the mold bottom upward from time totime, if he so desires.

By means of my invention described a curved back may be form ed forvehicle-seats, and by a simple variation in the form of the bottom Ddifferently-formed cushions may be made. The effect is to produce ahand-made back or cushion of convoluted form with exactness andrapidity.

I-Ieretofore in the making of ordinary cushions or cushion-backs with amachine or apparatus it has been impossible to complete the edges in themachine. In tufted or plaited backs the'edge tufts comprise nearlyonehalf, and sometimes more than one-half, of the tufts in the wholeback.

An important feature of my invention is to provide a conformer of suchconstruction that the lower portion may be removed, so as to expose theedges of the cushion materials for finishing purposes. I have shown inthe drawings the conformer constructed in two sections, the lowerportion being a casing arranged to overlap the sides of the main portionof the conformer by a diagonal lap, the object being to. expose theedges when the casing is removed and to sufficiently retain the stuffingmaterial, so that the operator may finish the cushion by properlyarranging the stuffing and attaching the covering to the edges of theback or foundation. .It is obvious that the removable casing may beotherwise constructed for the same purpose.

My invention may be used for making smooth cushions and backs, as wellas tufted ones, The necessity for a perforated bottom would then beobviated, the back or foundation would be of stiff material, and thewires and wire-retainers would not be necessary.

The bottom D may be constructed in two parts and hinged at d, so as tobe adjustable to any desired curve or bend. This would adapt theconformer to different-shaped backs for different vehicles.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. An apparatus formaking cushions comprising upper and lower sections, the upper sectionbeing provided with lateral apertures and the lower section being formedwith lapping edgesto close said apertures when the sections are placedtogether, a bottom secured to the top section having the form which itis desired to give to the cushion, the structure being such that afterthe cushion has been stuffed the bottom section may be removed to permitaccess to the sides of the cushion through the lateral apertures in theupper section, substantially as described.

2. An apparatus for making c'urved cushions and backs comprising anupper section formed with side and end apertures, a bottom forsupporting the cushion having the shape upon its upper surface which itis desired to give to the cushion, and a lower section adapted to fitupon the upper section and close the side and end apertures of the uppersection while stuffing the cushion, and to be removed when it is desiredto finish the cushion at the sides through the saidapertures,substantially as described.

8. An apparatus for forming cushions and backs comprising an uppersection having an upper body portion, corner-posts,a bottom supported bythe said corner-posts, the said bottom having a series of aperturesformed therein and also being provided with longitudinal slots passingthrough the said apertures, and means for holding wires or rods in thesaid longitudinal slots until the cushion is formed, and a lowersection'having lapping side portions for closing the lateral openings inthe upper section, substantially as described.

4. An apparatus for making curved cushions and backs, comprising anupper section having depending corner-posts, a supportingbottom carriedby the said posts, apertures being formed in the said section just abovethe said bottom portion, the said bottom being provided with a series ofcircular apertures and longitudinal slots passing through the saidapertures, being also provided with transverselyarranged passages,retaining= wires maintained in the said lateral passages for holdingcushion-forming rods or wires in the-longitudinal slots, and. a lowersection comprising base and vertical sides having beveled edges tocorrespond with beveled surfaces formed upon the upper section, thestructure being such that after the cushion has been stuffed the lowersection may be removed from the upper section in order to permit accessto the sides of the cushion through the apertures just above the bottom,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

. EDWARD F. BRAISHER.

Witnesses:

HORACE M. FoULK, J. WALKER.

